Residents of the Cantagalo and Pavao communities in Rio de Janeiro now have much better access to and from their homes in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/rio-de-janeiro/">Rio de Janeiro</a> thanks to a new 80 meter elevator complex. The <a href="http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-real-estate/cantagalo-elevator-to-open-in-june/#" target="_blank">Rubem Braga Elevator</a> towers connect the area via two 30 person elevators, stairs and a pedestrian bridge down to the rest of the city and a subway station. Covered in brightly colored louvers, the towers protect the pedestrians from the elements as they are walking to work or back home. Designed by <a href="http://www.jbmc.com.br/" target="_blank">JBMC Arquitetura e Urbanismo</a>, the towers also serve as a tourist attraction to take in the beautiful vistas of the beaches and the city.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

The new elevator complex serves as the gateway to the local community and improves access conditions.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Previously residents of the community relied on a series of precarious stairways and improvised accesses throughout the mount.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Residents were constantly exposed to dangerous situations, poor lighting, crime and even the risk of possible landslides.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

This new facility is more than just a pedestrian friendly elevator though as it helps to reduce social inequality, lower crime rate, improves quality of life, and provides unrestricted access to the different means of public transport.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Tourists also enjoy the towers and make use of the elevators to access a vantage point from which to view and take pictures of the city.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

The elevators transport people efficiently up 80 meters in height between the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantagalo,_Rio_de_Janeiro">Cantagalo</a> and Pavao communities on the hill and the Ipanema neighhood below.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Named after Rubem Braga, a chronicle writer that lived in a building neighboring the Cantagalo favela, the elevator complex is made up of two towers, connected via a foot bridge to access different levels of the steeply sloped community.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Both towers utilize an elevator capable of transporting 30 people at a time starting as early as 5 am up until midnight.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

During the week around 4,200 people use is and during the weekend around 3,300 people make use of the elevators. Staircases behind the class elevators are provided in case the power is out.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Colored in bright blue and green louvers, the towers are protected against the rain and the harsh sun, but still encourage natural ventilation throughout.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

A diagram depicting the elevator complex system.

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Rubem Braga Elevator Complex-JBMC

Residents of the Cantagalo and Pavao communities in Rio de Janeiro now have much better access to and from their homes in Rio de Janeiro thanks to a new 80 meter elevator complex. The Rubem Braga Elevator towers connect the area via two 30 person elevators, stairs and a pedestrian bridge down to the rest of the city and a subway station. Covered in brightly colored louvers, the towers protect the pedestrians from the elements as they are walking to work or back home. Designed by JBMC Arquitetura e Urbanismo, the towers also serve as a tourist attraction to take in the beautiful vistas of the beaches and the city.